The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) was established by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by combining five Caribbean Regional Health Institutes (RHIs): The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI)
The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC); The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI); The Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC)
The Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL).

Public Health Professionals Receive Training in Risk and Crisis Communication for Public Health Emergencies

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, September 27, 2016: Risk communication is an important tool in managing health threats such as Zika, and effective communication messages during these public health emergencies can sometimes pose a challenge.

Twenty-four public health officers from 13 CARPHA Member States, as well as CARPHA staff, participated in a Risk and Crisis Communication for Public Health Emergencies Train-the-Trainer Workshop hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Over the two and a half days, delegates participated in simulation exercises using current public health risks and discussed dealing with the media and the of social media in emergency situations. Participants also engaged in a mock media conference and facilitation exercises.

The workshop which ran from 22 to 24 September aimed to support human resource development in the area of risk communications thereby strengthening the capacity for regional and national coordination and management of public health emergencies.

This training workshop was funded by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).